Columbia Digest

Veterans forum

The Howard County Veterans and Military Families Commission holds an open forum on veterans issues at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14, at the Howard County Library's central branch, 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway. Representatives from Fort Meade, the Veterans Administration, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Employer Support for Guard and Reserve and other service organizations have been invited. Free. Information: 410-313-7883.

Newly released films

Newly released movies will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursdays this month at Howard County Library's East Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way. Free popcorn, soda and candy. Information: 410-313-7700.

The Red Branch Theatre Company kicks off its fifth season with a cabaret celebration, "Last Five Years," on Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, at the Drama Learning Center, 9130 Red Branch Road Suite I. Red Branch Theatre members and area performers will present selections from the company's past musicals and provide a preview of the coming season. Food and beverages will be served before the performance and between acts, and a silent auction will be held both days. Show time is 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35; $25 for students younger than 21. Information: 410-997-9352.

Film

A screening of the Academy Award-nominated documentary "5 Broken Cameras" will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17, at the Howard County Library's East Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way. The movie is about a Palestinian farmer's chronicle of his village's nonviolent resistance to incursions by the Israeli army. Free. Information: 410-313-7700.

Shakespeare comedy

The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is presenting "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" through Sunday, March 17, at The Other Barn, 5851 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $15-$36. Information: 410-313-8661 or chesapeakeshakespeare.com.

Art exhibits

•The Artists' Gallery's annual "Poets and Painters" exhibit will be on view through Friday, March 29, in the American City Building, 10227 Wincopin Circle in Columbia. Members of the gallery exhibit paintings, drawings and ceramics side by side with the works of poetry that inspired them or were inspired by them. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. Information: 410-740-8249 or artistsgallerycolumbia.com.

•Fractal prints by Adam Zynger and a mixed-media show by Linda Trope titled "Arcane Convergence" will be on view through Saturday, April 13, in the Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane in Columbia. A reception with refreshments and music will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. Information: 410-730-3987 or 301-596-4883.

The Phoenix Cultural Singles Group, a Columbia social group for those 50 and older, meets from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Sundays at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place in the Oakland Mills Village Center. Coffee, tea and a light snack are served. The group plans events and trips. Information: 410-997-0739.

Around town

English conversation The Howard County Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway, offers Let's Get Together: English Conversation Club. The club offers an opportunity for those for whom English is a second language to practice speaking and understanding English in a group setting. It meets at 9:30 a.m. Mondays and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. Register with the library before your first meeting. Information: 410-313-7850.

Wii Club The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks offers a Wii Club for those 55 and older from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way. The first game is free. Information: 410-313-7213.

Single Again Changing Focus Single Again, a nonprofit program for adults who are separated, widowed or in the process of divorce, provides weekly presentations and small-group discussions in a confidential, comfortable atmosphere. The group meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at First Presbyterian Church, 9325 Presbyterian Circle. An orientation for new members is offered at 6:30 p.m. Information: changingfocus.org.

Chair yoga The East Columbia 50+ Center at the East Columbia branch of the Howard County Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, offers chair yoga, an easy introduction to yoga that eases the pain of arthritis, reduces fatigue and improves circulation and breathing, at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Reservations: 410-313-7680.

Also at the 50+ Center

•Age Well Exercise classes with Joyce DiTomaso will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost for an eight-week session is $35.

•A belly dance class will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Learn hip movements, stretches, arm and hand techniques, and veil dancing. The first class is free, then a monthly fee is due.

•A yoga class is offered at 11 a.m. Mondays and 2 p.m. Tuesdays. The cost is $24 per month.